Neighbour wants to temporarily tap into my wireless broadband

[billybunny]

As it says above really. My neighbour caught me on my way out this morning and says he is without broadband for a couple of weeks and his daughter needs to do her college work. Im a bit naive with this sort of thing. What should I be aware of? Thanks

[ummmm]

Secure it....

[billybunny]

Thanks ummm but can you elaborate a bit. As I said Im not very good with this sort of thing

[Bobbisox]

agree with Zac and ummm billy
we could all do that

[redman41]

There are plenty of Computers at your nearest Public Library they could use for free. There are Internet Cafe's available also for a small fee.
Be wary of lending your Laptop.!

[craft1948]

Tell him to send his daughter to the library......

[jackthehat]

If you give access to your network, your neighbour will be able to look at whatever he wants...........including child pornography (which the police will be able to track to YOUR network).
If he is computer savvy, he may also be able to interrogate YOUR computer/s for passwords, etc, including banking details, and have a general snoop into your private business.

As ummmm says, secure it !! :o)

[MarkRae]

Presumably you're talking about your wireless network here? I'm assuming your neighbour's daughter ins't intending to bring her computer into your house and plug it directly into your router...

It would be simple enough to allow her to connect via wireless, making sure that your network is WPA2 secured and that you have set up MAC address filtering so that only devices with wireless cards which are known to you can connect. That's the theory, anyway...

HOWEVER, you are opening yourself up to all sorts of potential risks by doing this. What if her boyfriend comes round and starts downloading illegal material? That activity will be flagged against YOUR IP address, not your neighbour's.

I would strongly suggest you don't do this - I certainly wouldn't...

Your neighbour may be lucky enough to find unsecured wireless networks elsewhere in the street. There is one a few doors down from me and, despite my nagging at him to secure it, he persistently refuses to do so.

Another alternative would be for your neighbour to purchase mobile broadband...

[billybunny]

Dunno Pussy. He is working and has signed up to talktalk but its not connected yet. You know what its like when someone puts you on the spot over something but now Ive had time to think about it I dont think its a good idea. As other people have said, theres always the librarys and presumably the college has its own internet access. The guy is a bit a cheeky. He borrowed my jump cables a while ago, broke them and didnt replace them!!

[billybunny]

Thanks JacktheHat and MarkRae. The child porn thing did cross my mind as well (what an age we live in, eh!). Think Im going to have to bite the bullett and go round and tell the guy no.

[ummmm]

Secure it and tell him you can't remember the password.

[Fudbucket]

The guy is a bit a cheeky. He borrowed my jump cables a while ago, broke them and didnt replace them!!

A big fat NO! will suffice nicely.

[MarkRae]

> He borrowed my jump cables a while ago, broke them and didnt replace them!!

Inconsiderate people like this are a real pain. They will take and take and never give in return. Tell him that you'll only consider it once he's replaced the broken jump leads...

[modeller]

It sounds dodgy to me. I would want to know why is he without it for two weeks and I bet that two weeks will end up more like 6 . Never let your computer leave your house that always causes trouble especially with that sort of person.

[Naomicorlett]

I just have to say that my son's neighbour lets him use his broadband ( altho we do know him anyway) and we are very gratefull as broadband is hellishly expensive where we live.

[bibblebub]

Do you have an unlimited monthly download limit? If not then what would you do if they cause you to be charged extra because of what they have been up to?

[hc4361]

You are in breach of the terms and conditions of your ISP contract if you allow your neighbours to connect via your wireless network.
You will be responsible for anything and everything that happens through your network - it is your responsibility to secure it and block any connections you do not authorise.
You will be prosecuted if he downloads child porn or carries out any other illegal acts over the internet.
Secure your internet and say no.